Hope it does the trick, there is a good chance it might.
Stihl MS 261 C-M Will Not Start
- Thread starter thclimer
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
The green one is the most recent and universal for all saws. The black solenoid was the one with the most problems. The white ones (for me) have been trouble free for the most part.
Not exactly. At least, not according to Stihl bulletins, some of which are posted in the Stihl sticky thread.
A green solenoid is listed as a replacement for every m-tronic saw regardless of the year or carb, I saved the sheet that came in the box with one.
After more research my serial number is below 507337395 which according to the publication below I should use the green solenoid. However, I’m pretty certain the solenoid that I have ordered is white. Any idea what happens if I try to use the white one? My guess is that it would not work.
The saw will spontaneously ignite and explode.
the white ones have been working great for me.
Read the bulletin. Follow the instructions.
Same here.
the white ones have been working great for me.
Won't the white one work in all the saws?
Well, when that happens its a good excuse to be buying a new saw then! LOL
Glad to hear others have had success with the white one, I’ll give it a try and report back.
The publication that I posted referring to use of the green one was from 2021. I’m not sure when the green one was made available but a similar publication from 2019 didn’t mention the green one so I’d have to assume as others have said that a white one was used after a black one failed when the green one was not available.
However, I’m sure Stihl developed a green one for a reason and listed a serial number range for its use.
Well report back when its installed.
I’ve mixed them (a lot) on 261/362s and they work fine.
Timber MacFallen
ArboristSite Operative
I'm so confused...What diagnostics have been done to warrant replacing any parts?
I've repaired saws with a similar problem recently:
-A 50cc Jonsered had the same symptoms. It was low on compression, borderline but just low enough to cause starting issues. Getting a new top end. Not straight gassed- just years of use and mediocre fuel.
-A Stihl MS261 had the same symptoms. It was perfectly fine. It just had gas that was a bit old. Put in some new ethanol free fuel and she fired up just fine.
I'd confirm ignition is in good order. Confirm you're getting a strong spark at the plug.
I've repaired saws with a similar problem recently:
-A 50cc Jonsered had the same symptoms. It was low on compression, borderline but just low enough to cause starting issues. Getting a new top end. Not straight gassed- just years of use and mediocre fuel.
-A Stihl MS261 had the same symptoms. It was perfectly fine. It just had gas that was a bit old. Put in some new ethanol free fuel and she fired up just fine.
I'd confirm ignition is in good order. Confirm you're getting a strong spark at the plug.
Bad juju…
It is a well known issue with some mtronic saws. Replace the solenoid and, magic, all is well. I’ve had 3-4 with the same issue…all worked after a swap. 2 more didn’t but those were my fault…screwed up the carbs
But it costs nothing to check for a good spark.
It worked for me just like checking any other for spark. Can you explain why it's harder?
